This Diwali, flaunt your individualistic style

This Diwali, flaunt your individualistic style to make your home your haven. Team IAnD speaks to select design doyens to tell you how…

Are you deluged with ideas for the festive season; but most seem far-fetched or a little cumbersome to accomplish?! Well, here is a handy round-up of absolutely do-able stuff that will complement your personal aesthetics as well as your pocket!

Team IAnD sought the counsel of five designers, who’ve always exhibited an unrestrained style in all they do. Here are their expert inputs for you:

Shabnam Gupta of The Orangelane (known for turning quirk to flamboyance) says: A great way to enhance your abode this festive season is to start with the entryway. Adorning your door with some antique lamp or fun lampshade will instantly brighten up your space. Placing potted ferns, flowers and potpourri can also make a difference; or just adorn a pretty vase complementing it with aromatic candles.

Speaking of candles, designers Raseel Gujral of Casa Pop (known for her uninhibited décor style) and Prashant Chauhan of Zero9 (known for his classic sensitivity in stylising spaces) also recommend the inclusion of lots of candles around the home; some creatively carved to add intrigue and a touch of glamour!

Looking around your home, says Shabnam, rearrange the furniture, if you can. This itself will bring about a sea-change. Dig into stuff packed away and consider hanging the old kilim on the wall – simple; yet totally dramatic – this will add an inviting appeal to your living room or even bedroom.

Or if rearranging is not the option for you, says Nina Puri of Sanjay Puri Architects (known for her chic, understated balance in interiors), try draping an old dupatta or stole on one end of the sofa or even the bed; gives the room a new appeal. You can also throw in some colourful covers on your cushions and add to their numbers to create an inviting warmth in the interior; or even add in lots of indoor plants, pipes in Prashant Chauhan.

Accessorising is an all-important part of your décor and especially with the festive fervour, designer Priyanka P of PS Design (known for her remarkable touch of glamour to everyday settings), suggests that you go seasonal by taking a large urli and filling it with water and marigolds or even rose petals. Placed at the entrance, this is the warmest welcome you could essay for your guests. Also, she continues, try framing an old picture – maybe from your travels – in a large format, and use it add to a dramatic effect to the room.

Group accessories in an eclectic way, suggests Nina Puri; they can be combined to effect a narrative and create a pocket of interest in your décor.

Above all, preserve your individuality, when you are exploring latest trends and picking new designs to decorate your interiors, advises Raseel Gujral. Opt to uplift the mood of your interiors by making the space more lived in and young, rather than overstatedly decorated with too many loud pieces. Add life and vigour to your space with casually strewn cushions, creatively carved candles, decorative pieces drenched in pastels and bright colours and a lot of florals, she continues. This Diwali, flaunt your individualistic style

Identify designs that allow you to channel your energy towards happiness. The simplicity of a breathable space is also often the pathway to establish peace in your home décor. Avoid adding too much noise to open spaces by incorporating too many elements to it. Choose to accentuate the minimalist taste with standout sculptures, intricately designed chandeliers and trunks, elegant jewellery boxes, glass crafts and lamps, concludes Raseel.

Our special thank-you to designer Nina Puri for having tailored this bespoke idea – exclusively for you – the readers of India Art n Design (dot) com.

Here’s the simply beautiful DIY that can uplift and add a spark to any décor: Take some differently sized glasses – any glasses – and turn them upside down. Below the glasses, feel free to add some bits of coloured paper, rose petals, confetti, coloured baubles…Now place your T-lights on